Russian gymnasts tumble into Germiston

Germiston Gymnastics Club members get once-in-a-lifetime master class.

December 12, 2017

Leigh Hodgson 1 minute read

Young gymnasts from the Germiston Gymnastics Club were thrilled to take part in a master class offered by world-renowned Russian gymnasts Elena Zamolodchikova and Emin Garibov.

Chest rolls, dive rolls, flips, tumbles and dismounts were just a few of the things that young gymnasts from the Germiston Gymnastics Club were taught during Russian gymnasts Elena Zamolodchikova and Emin Garibov’s recent visit.

The Germiston Gymnastics Club, based in Delville, was opened in February 2016 by head coach Wiseman Thwala.

Thwala said his love for the sport is among the reasons he founded the club.

“I am an ex-gymnast and have competed up to level 10 (Senior Olympics), with my last competition being in 2003, in Namibia,” he said.

“I have been coaching gymnastics since 1997 and I have been an official Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) judge since 2000.

“I have always wanted a sport that is challenging and I found it in gymnastics.”

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Zamolodchikova and Garibov visited the country for two days as part of the close friendship and association that the South African Gymnastics Federation (SAGF) and the Russian Gymnastics Federation share.

During the visit the world-renowned gymnasts offered master classes and inspired local coaches and gymnasts at local clubs Centurion Gymnastics, Visions Gymnastics, JGC Gymnastics and Germiston Gymnastics Club.

During the training the pair showed the attendees various techniques that world-class gymnasts should acquire.

It is hoped that visits such as these will encourage the sharing of knowledge and resources, motivating and inspiring young gymnasts to reach their goals.